After Securing $100 Million for Rail Resilience, Rep. Mike Levin Surpasses One Billion Dollars for Projects in California’s 49th Congressional District
Milestone Comes After Less Than Six Years in Office
Oceanside, CA – Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) announced that he has secured $1.038 billion in total federal funding for 49th Congressional District projects throughout North County San Diego and South Orange County.
This billion-dollar milestone comes as Rep. Levin helped secure $100 million in new federal funding for the Orange County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA) Coastal Rail Infrastructure Resiliency Project. That funding will go toward improving the safety, resilience, and reliability of the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor, the second busiest rail corridor in the country. Rep. Levin’s commitment to returning taxpayer dollars back to the district to address priorities is evident in this achievement and comes after less than six years in office.
“Since joining Congress, I’ve made it my mission to deliver the federal funding necessary to tackle the most pressing issues facing our district,” said Rep. Levin. “These funds have helped us pump over one million cubic yards of sand back onto our beaches. They are helping us access clean water, rebuild our roads and bridges, and make our communities safer. I’m thrilled that in less than six years, I’ve brought more than $1 billion in federal funding to communities in North County San Diego and South Orange County.
“The $100 million grant for OCTA will go towards safeguarding the LOSSAN Rail Corridor from the devastating effects of climate change and coastal erosion, helping prevent the service disruptions we’ve experienced over the past several years. It will deliver real solutions that will protect the Corridor for years to come.”
Click here to view a map of the projects and funding Rep. Levin has secured for the district.
Background on Delivering Funds to Safeguard the LOSSAN Rail Corridor in Orange County
Over the past two and a half years, a seven-mile stretch of the LOSSAN Rail Corridor running along the coast in South Orange County has repeatedly experienced closures for a cumulative total of over 12 months. Climate-induced storm surges, sea-level rise, and erosion have impacted railroad track movement and slope instability along the LOSSAN Rail Corridor right-of-way, resulting in service disruption to both passenger and freight rail services. These closures have negatively impacted passenger transportation, freight services, and military operations throughout the region.
Building on prior emergency work experience, OCTA has developed potential proactive solutions to maintain the rail corridor's existing alignment while safeguarding it against the threats of sea level rise and coastal erosion. The Project will construct resiliency and safety measures to stabilize the track currently threatened by wave action and by landslides from adjacent cliffs. It is anticipated that the Project will utilize engineering and sand nourishment solutions. These measures could assist in preventing future emergencies that would lead to track closures or service interruptions, ensuring the operation of both passenger and freight rail services. Rep. Levin is a strong supporter of efforts to fortify the corridor through beach nourishment.
The 351-mile LOSSAN Rail Corridor travels through a six-county coastal region in Southern California and is the second busiest intercity passenger rail corridor in the United States and the busiest state-supported Amtrak route. The LOSSAN Rail Corridor service includes 41 stations and more than 150 daily passenger trains. As defined by the Department of Defense, the rail line between Los Angeles and San Diego is designated as part of the Strategic Rail Corridor Network, which consists of key railroad lines important to national defense. The LOSSAN Rail Corridor is a key piece of transportation infrastructure for both California’s 49th Congressional District and the nation.
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